LTAC 2011 Chiarello: Simplified Technical English

AeroSpace and Defence
Industries Association of Europe

ASD Simplified
Technical English
An adaptable and flexible
resource for writing accuracy

Orlando Chiarello,
Chairman, ASD STE Maintenance Group

Rome, 6 April 2011
1

A worldwide standard
Technical writers started to use ASD Simplified Technical
English, ASD-STE100 (STE), in the 1980s.

It was initially applicable to commercial aviation. Then, it became also a
requirement for military projects.

Primary texts for Maintenance Manuals, Data Modules and Service
Bulletins for the commercial and military aircraft are written in STE.

Vendors of components for these aircraft write their Component
Maintenance Manuals and Data Modules in STE.

ASD-STEMG 2011 2 ASD-STE100 is a Copyright and a Trade Mark of ASD, Brussels, Belgium

Why Simplified Technical English?
What is it?
 STE is not a new idea…
Professor K.C. Ogden wrote the “Basic English” in 1930.


 Caterpillar first used their Fundamental English (CFE) in
the 1970s.
 Other industries used Controlled Languages.

 But STE was the first controlled language used in aerospace
maintenance. It is the best known one and a model writing
standard for other industries.


Historical Background
1979 - The Association of European Airlines (AEA) thought that a simplified language
applicable to the aircraft maintenance documentation was necessary. The “European
Association of Aerospace Industries” (AECMA) agreed to find a solution and started
the project with the Simplified English Working Group (SEWG).

1983 – 1986 - After the analysis of many maintenance texts, the SEWG set the writing
rules, a controlled dictionary and examples. Also, the Aerospace Industries
Association (AIA) of America sent their representative in the SEMG.

1986 - First release of the SE Guide (AECMA Document PSC-85-16598).

1987 – 1989 - ATA and S1000D made AECMA SE a mandatory requirement.

1995 – After a long clean-up work, the SEWG released the SE Guide with many new
features and the examples included in the Dictionary (Issue 1, 15 Sep 1995). The
SEWG became the SE Maintenance Group (SEMG).


Historical Background

1997 – Some airlines representatives became SEMG Associate Members.
1998 - 2001 - Updates and amendments of the SE Guide (Revision 1 and Revision 2).
2003 – S1000D 2.0 opened to Land and Sea (SE not only for Aerospace).
2004 – Full revision of the SE Guide (Issue 2, 15 Jan 2004).

2005 – AECMA became ASD. The SE Guide became the Specification ASD-STE100 with the
word “Technical” added to its name (Issue 3, 15 Jan 2005). SEMG became STEMG.

2006 – Some military representatives became STEMG Associate Members.

2007 – Full revision of the Specification. EC Trademark (Issue 4, 15 Jan 2007) included.

2008 – The European Handbook for Defence Procurement (CEN WS10 framework)
recommended S1000D and STE as its best practice standards for documentation.

2009 – ASD-STE100 presentation at EASA and FAA Headquarters.

APRIL 2010 – RELEASE OF ISSUE 5


Why a controlled language for
aerospace industry?


The increasing complexity of aircraft


The increasing size and complexity of technical documentation
and data


The increasing number of non-native English
speaking customers

20%

80%
Non-English Speaking

English Speaking


The maintenance data that must be:


But accurate technical text and correct
presentation are not always sufficient:
The selection of the words is not easy.

Some customers do errors with texts that we think that are
written in good English.

" Round the edges of the round cap. If it then
turns round and round, as it circles round the
casing, another round of tests is required."


A standard was necessary.
A standard that included:

a small number of words
words with defined meanings
words with defined parts of speech
a simplified structure

for the maximum benefit to the reader!


Minimum Words

Simplified Structure } The basic condition for a

Controlled Language

A Simplified form of English

Simplified Technical English
(ASD-STE100)


SIMPLIFIED TECHNICAL ENGLISH
Specification ASD-STE100

European Community Trade Mark No. 004901195

International specification
for the preparation of maintenance documentation
in a controlled language


ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English has received European Community
trademark.

“In practice this means that the good results we have achieved are now being acknowledged by an audience outside the
aerospace industry. The Simplified Technical English specification ASD-STE100, represents groundbreaking work in
standardization, which is in line with the European Commission work program fostering an Innovation-Friendly Europe.
And we hope this will help other industries in their standardization work,”
François Gayet, Secretary General ASD Europe, October 2006, ASD Press Release.


So how does STE make text simpler
and easier to read?

STE has two parts:
Part 1: a set of writing rules
Part 2: a controlled vocabulary


STE primary rules
 Choose the words from:
Approved words in the Dictionary (controlled)
 Technical Names (20 categories, not controlled, not listed in the
Dictionary).
 Technical Verbs (3 categories, not controlled, not listed in the
Dictionary).
 Use the approved words only as the part of speech given in the Dictionary.
 Make the instructions as clear as possible.


STE primary rules
 Do not write more than three nouns together.
 Put the article before the nouns.
 Use only the form of verbs that are listed in the Dictionary.
 Do not use the “-ing” form of a verb unless it is a part of a Technical Name.
 Use the active voice. Use only the active voice in procedures and as much as
possible in descriptive text.
 Keep to one topic per sentence.
 Use the vertical layout for complex text.


STE primary rules
 Write short sentences (20 words maximum in procedures, 25 words maximum
in descriptive text).
 Write only one instruction per sentence.
 In an instruction, use the imperative “command” form.
 Write only one topic in each paragraph.
 Do not write more than 6 sentences in each paragraph.


STE primary rules
 Start a warning or a caution with a simple and clear command.
 Identify your command correctly as a warning or a caution.
 Write notes so that you give information, not commands.
 Use a Different Construction to rewrite sentences when a word-for-word
replacement is not sufficient.


An important resource for Flight Safety
Controlled grammatical structures and vocabulary make text more
easily understandable.
An easy and correct text can decrease the maintenance errors and
the Human Factors risks.
“The Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe, a champion of simplified
English, has devised a system that uses no more than 900 words. The association's
involvement demonstrates what often drives simplified English: the need for safety.”
(The Financial Times, 26th August, 2008)


Remember, in STE: one word = one meaning!
In STE, YOU…..
Do not Do not
perform the carry out
task the task

Do not
undertake DO the
the task task !


Some examples
Non STE text:
 Round the edges of the round cap. If it then turns round and round, as
it circles round the casing, another round of tests is required.

STE text:
 Make the edges of the circular cap rounded. If the cap then makes a
continuous circular movement when you install it on the casing, more
tests are necessary.

 Make sure that the cap is fully circular and if it is not, remove all
rough edges. But if the cap turns continuously around its axis while it
goes around the casing, do the test procedure again.


Some examples
Descriptive Writing – The moka pot
The moka pot, also known as the "caffettiera" or the “macchinetta”, is a coffee maker device. It has the
function to make coffee with pressurized water.
The caffettiera has three primary parts:
- The bottom chamber (A)
- The filter (B)
- The collecting chamber (C).
To make coffee, it is necessary to put water in the bottom chamber (A) and the ground coffee in the filter
(B). The collecting chamber (B) is tightened on the threads of the bottom chamber (A) and a gasket
prevents leakage between the assembled parts.
When the caffettiera is on the fire, the water temperature increases. The vapor in the boiler expands and
pressurizes the water surface. The pressure pushes the mass of the water down and then the water will be
pushed up through the filter funnel (A to B). When it goes up, the water goes also through the ground
coffee in the filter (B) and thus brews the coffee. The brewed coffee through the pipe will gradually fill the
collecting chamber (C).
At the end of the process, only air and vapor move from the bottom chamber (A) to the collective chamber
(C). The water level in the bottom chamber (A) will be the same as the level at the filter and the funnel. The
remaining water in the boiler will prevent overheating. A safety relief valve, installed in the bottom
chamber (A), prevents an overpressure condition and operates if there is a blockage.

Who uses STE?
In the aerospace world:

 Aircraft operators (airlines and military depots)
 Aircraft maintenance training centers
 Aircraft designers and manufacturers
 Aircraft component manufacturers
 Aircraft engine designers and manufacturers.


Is STE only for aerospace?
3% of the keywords included in the STE Dictionary are applicable to aerospace
documentation.

97% of the keywords are applicable to all types of documentation.

We can use the Writing Rules in all types of documentation.


How much is it adaptable and flexible?
ASD-STE100 study for universal use (April 2008) – Final results
STE Writing Rules + Dictionary 10%

10% of STE is related to aerospace
90% of STE is universal
90%

The study shows that we can use STE in other fields.
We can use the STE Dictionary as a “core” and add the Technical
Names and Technical Verbs that are applicable to our companies, our
projects and our industries.
You can see an example of general use in this presentation where:
More than 90% of the text is written in STE!

How much is it adaptable and flexible
Technical Names – The 20 Categories
1- Names in the official parts information
2- Names of locations on machines, vehicles and equipment
3- Names of tools or equipment
4- Names of materials, consumables and unwanted matter
5- Names of facilities and infrastructure
6- Names of circuits or systems, their parts and locations in them
7- Mathematical, scientific and engineering terms
8- Navigation terms
9- Numbers, units of measurement and dial markings
10 - Quoted text (placards, labels, signs, markings and display units)


Technical Names – The 20 Categories
11 - Names of persons, groups or bodies
12 - Parts of the body
13 - Common personal effects
14 - Medical terms
15 - Documents, manuals or parts of manuals
16 - Names, headings and topics used in specifications
(including in-house specifications)
17 - Names of technical records, standards, specifications, regulations
18 - Environmental conditions
19 - Colors
20 - Damage terms


Technical Verbs – The 3 Categories
1 - Manufacturing Processes
2 - Computer Processes and Applications
3 - Descriptions


Who uses STE?
Non-aerospace world (as it is or with small adaptations):
 High-Tech companies
 Oil companies
 Medical companies
 Truck designers and manufacturers
 Tyre manufacturers
 Digital camera manufacturers
 Diesel engine designers and manufacturers
 Passenger train designers and manufacturers …..

…….and many others!


Summary of STE principles
 The STE vocabulary is restricted – approximately 860 approved words.
 STE shows you how to use the approved words.
 Each word has a defined meaning.
 Each word has a defined part of speech.
 STE gives the rules that help you write clearly.
 STE helps to remove language problems where English is not the native
language.
 STE makes it easier to translate English texts into other languages.

“With SE we may, at last, be on the threshold of making English logical
and tidy.” (The Times, 13th April, 1987)


THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

QUESTIONS?
More information?
Please visit: www.asd-ste100.org
Please contact: info@asd-ste100.org
Orlando Chiarello
Chairman of the STE Maintenance Group (STEMG)
Product Support Manager
SECONDO MONA S.p.A.
Via Carlo del Prete, 1 – 21019 Somma Lombardo - Italy
orlando.chiarello@secondomona.com


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